How to Press Flowers: A Beginner's Guide

A view of a crafting table with a pair of hands laying out pressed flowers on sheets of kitchen paper

Kate Blott |

Flower pressing is a beautiful way to preserve seasonal blooms and turn them into lasting keepsakes. This beginner’s guide explains how to press flowers in a simple and easy-to-follow way, from choosing the right materials to displaying your finished pieces with care.


What Materials Are Required for Pressing Flowers?

  • Floral and botanical materials such as flowers, leaves, grasses, and herbs - look for recently bloomed flowers that are not too damp.
  • A large, ideally heavy book, OR a small flower press.
  • Parchment paper.

What Equipment is Required for Arranging Pressed Flowers?

  • Mounting base, such as a journal, mount board or card, canvas board or stretched canvas, scrapbook - think about how you want to display the finished artwork to choose the most appropriate base.
  • PVA glue.
  • Water.
  • Soft paintbrush.

Book vs Flower Press Method

Both methods work well for pressing flowers, but a flower press offers a neater, more efficient setup, especially when working with multiple blooms. A heavy book is ideal for beginners or one-off projects, while a flower press is better for regular crafters who want consistent results.

Here’s how to press flowers using either method:

  • Lay down a piece of cardboard as the base.
  • Place a sheet of parchment paper on top.
  • Arrange your flowers or leaves as flat as possible on the paper.
  • Cover the flowers with a second sheet of parchment, then another piece of cardboard.

If using a book:

  • Insert the cardboard “sandwich” inside the book.
  • Add extra weight on top if needed.
  • Leave undisturbed for at least one week.

If using a flower press:

  • Stack multiple sandwiches between the wooden boards.
  • Tighten the corner screws to apply pressure evenly.
  • Set aside for a week or more to dry fully.

No matter which method you choose, the right materials make all the difference. Explore our dried flower collection for seasonal colours, interesting textures and florals that press beautifully.


Video Tutorial: How To Use a Traditional Flower Press

Traditional flower presses are a great way to DIY some pressed flowers. Click here now to our easy video guide and find out how precious, delicate flowers can be pressed in a few simple steps.

Want to build your own flower press kit? Start with pre-dried stems that are easy to arrange and ready to go.


FAQs

What’s the History of Pressing Flowers?

As far back as the 16th Century, Japanese artists were forming a new art called Oshibana, whereby large pictures were created using pressed flowers.

It’s believed that as part of a Samurai’s training, they would learn the skill of patience from practising this art.

These beautiful creations were eventually bought and sold to dealers from Western countries during the mid-nineteenth century. A new fascination with this floral art and in Victorian times, and it was considered a worthy pastime for gentile ladies.

It coincided with an increasing obsession with the meaning of flowers, and these pretty items were given as love tokens, kept as reminders of special occasions and moments, and for scientific interest in the case of intrepid explorers of faraway lands.

Flower pressing was an accessible hobby too; you didn’t have to be wealthy to enjoy it.

As long as you could pick a wildflower and find suitable objects to construct a rudimentary press, it was possible. This is still the case, and so the craft is still popular amongst young and old alike.


How Do I Display Pressed Flowers?

Pressed flowers can be displayed in a range of creative ways, from journal pages and framed note cards to resin jewellery and wall art. The key is protecting them from moisture, dust and direct sunlight.

  • Arrange your composition before glueing to find the right layout.
  • Mix PVA glue with water at a 4:1 ratio and brush lightly onto your surface.
  • Press flowers gently into place and allow to dry fully.
  • If casting in resin, use fully dried flowers and follow the instructions for jewellery, coasters or art pieces.

Should Flowers Be Dried Before Pressing?

No, there’s no need to dry flowers before pressing, though it depends on the result you want. Fresh flowers flatten completely as they dry, creating a papery finish. Dried blooms hold onto their shape, giving a more dimensional look when pressed.


Is It Better To Dry Or Press Flowers?

Both options work, but each creates a different effect. Pressing fresh flowers removes moisture and produces a flat, delicate result. Starting with dried flowers can preserve more shape and colour, especially useful if you want depth or have limited time.

You may have tried to dry your flowers before and had poor results, with dull petals and brown stems. To retain the colour and prevent unsightly browning, it’s important to dry flowers quickly.

It isn’t always possible to do this, depending on the time of the year or method used, so purchasing ready-dried flowers means this isn’t a concern.

If quick colour retention is important, or you’ve struggled with browning petals before, consider using pre-dried blooms. These are often brighter and more reliable for craft or resin projects. You can also learn how to dry flowers at home to create your own stash ready for pressing.


Fresh Flowers Vs. Dried Flowers - Which Presses Better?

It’s possible to use either fresh or dried flowers for pressing. The finished result will be slightly different, with a ready-dried flower retaining some of its contours and fresh flowers becoming much flatter.

Fresh flowers flatten as their natural moisture is wicked away, but a dry flower has already set in its dried state, meaning a completely flattened result isn’t achievable.


How Long Do Pressed Flowers Last?

Pressed flowers can last a very long time. Unlike standard dried flowers that may be exposed to dirt, damp and harsh light, pressed flowers are often kept tucked away inside journals or behind glass.

It’s possible to purchase pressed flower artworks from the 19th Century that still look beautiful. As with all dried floral products, the level of care they are given will directly affect how long they last and look their best.


What Are the Benefits of Pressing Dried Flowers?

Pressing pre-dried flowers saves time and gives you more control over the final result. Because they’re already moisture-free, you won’t need to wait as long for them to flatten. They also retain more of their shape, giving your designs texture and depth.

Dried flowers are widely available in unique shapes and colours, especially if you want something more vibrant than garden-picked stems. Using pre-dried blooms means fewer surprises, and more reliable results for your craft or display.


Share Your Makes!

Have you created a pressed flower piece you are particularly proud of? Tag us in your post so we can see it and share the love!

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